UNC claims two field hockey wins in competitive atmospheres

Right away, Friday evening’s match-up between North Carolina and No. 8 Old Dominion proved its merit as one of the best in college field hockey.

“I came out really flustered and started yelling at the refs from the beginning,” freshman defender Samantha Travers said. “That’s not me. I’m not a yeller.”

Despite nerves, errant passes and a frantic tempo, the top-ranked Tar Heels (7-1)defeated Old Dominion 3-2 in the rivalry’s 73rd game.

On Sunday, UNC defeated Wake Forest 2-1 in game that tested them to the end.

Both games were low-scoring and hard-fought affairs, but coach Karen Shelton said they were learning experiences.

“(Old Dominion) threw stuff at us we haven’t seen yet this season,” she said. “We’ll grow, they’ll grow, and we’ll face them again in late October, and it’ll be another battle.”

Friday’s battle hinged on offensive momentum; both teams struggled to string together passes as they charged up and down the field.

Less than 15 minutes into the first half, it appeared ODU scored on a penalty corner.

Then the whistle blew. An official spotted a penalty on the goal and waved it off. The score remained 0-0.

“Luckily that goal was taken back,” Travers said. “Otherwise that would have thrown us a bit.”

With a new lease on the game, UNC settled down. Travers scored on a penalty corner less than two minutes later, blasting the ball into the left side of the goal.

In the 18th minute, ODU’s Rosario Villagra scored on a rebounded shot. But in the 24th, Jacyln Gaudioso Radvany poached a clearance by the ODU defense and netted UNC’s second goal.

UNC led 2-1 at the half.

Forward Charlotte Craddock widened the margin to 3-1 in the second half, redeeming some earlier misses.

ODU scored again off of a penalty corner late in the game, but Shelton said she was pleased to see her team escape with a 3-2 win.

“Old Dominion put a lot of pressure on us, and then we had a good phase, and they had their flurry at the end,” she said. “We develop mental toughness playing in those kinds of contests.”

Against Wake Forest, UNC faced a similar test, and Craddock seemed to become more comfortable at the helm of the offense.

But UNC again allowed a late goal to cut into a two-goal lead, and Shelton said the 2-1 margin could have been greater.

“A two-goal lead is a dangerous lead, and we had that most of the game,” she said. “They got one back and actually had a chance with three minutes to play to tie the score.”

“Those end-of-the-game scenarios will definitely get our attention this week.”

Contact the desk editor at sports@dailytarheel.com.